Bella thought Reef would explode in anger, but she was wrong. That did not happen. Reef looked at her coldly and disappointedly. "Just like before, you only think about yourself, don't you? I'm not even sure you really loved me eight years ago."
"That's not true!" Bella snapped. "Why would you say that?"
"Why would I say that?" Reef's laughter was both cynical and bitter. "Because if you really loved me, you wouldn't have run away, Bella. What were you thinking when we were dating? You wanted to prove you could have anyone you wanted? The rich girl dating the poor guy, why not? It will make you seen as a fair and open-minded person by your society. Well, that's typical of children who are fed with a silver spoon."
Bella's eyes began to glaze over in offense. "I became your girlfriend because I love you! You know that!"
"Oh, sure." Reef's grin was like a wounded wolf. "That's what everyone used to say about you. But you didn't love me enough to take my side. You vanished from my life, and did you try to contact me after you were there? No, you didn't. You just forgot all about us."
Bella got up from her chair. "That's enough, Reef. You don't need to insult me. If you don't want to sell this house to me, that's fine. I didn't mean to force you. I'm just asking if you're willing. I've apologized for my past mistakes, and I meant it. I never wanted to hurt you. It was the circumstances that forced it to happen. If you still haven't gotten over it, it's beyond me. I don't think we should meet anymore if it will only cause inconvenience like this."
"Inconvenience?" Reef laughed bitterly. "You're right. Inconvenience. It's obvious, isn't it?"
"I'm going home the day after tomorrow and don't worry, I'll never come back to Saco again. Goodbye, Reef!"
Bella didn't feel the need to say goodbye to her friends. She grabbed her bag, which was lying on a table, and stomped off through the front door. Reef didn't even try to chase her.
You're such an idiot, Bella! She cursed to herself as she drove the rental car to the motel. Why did she suddenly have the idea to buy Red House? Obviously it would be a waste. Reef's attitude was completely unbearable. He should never have returned to Saco again.
Her car had just parked in front of the motel, when her cell phone rang. Mariel called out in his ear. "We were looking for you! Why are you leaving all of a sudden?"
"I'm sorry. I have a headache, Mariel."
"You're not a good liar, dear. Did your business with Reef not go well?"
"Yeah. We had a fight."
"Geez! I knew it would happen. He's angry, huh?"
"More than that. He alleged that I didn't really love him back then. Then he called me the rich girl with the silver spoon. His insults make me sick. He always... he always brings up the damn social status difference. Forget it, Mariel. I no longer intend to buy Red House! Let it be Reef's if that makes him happy!"
"He's just shocked, Bel. He must not have expected you to make an offer to buy the house. He was hoping you'd come back to him." Mariel sounded concerned. "So, just tell me where are you now?"
"I just arrived at the motel."
"Would you like to be picked up for dinner tonight?"
"I don't want to eat. I think I want to drink until get drunk and forget this shitty day."
"Okay, I'm in. But first let's go to Pete's Place. Do you remember it?"
"Of course. It was our favorite restaurant when we wanted to have a big dinner. Is that place still there?"
"Of course, Pete's still very fit to run his restaurant even though he's seventy years old now!"
"Oh, nice! Sometimes I'm craving his greasy fries and that super big burger!"
"Well, now you're in the mood for dinner, aren't you?" Mariel chuckled. "I'll pick you up at seven. Just the two of us. Wear something cool!"
"What? We're too old to attract the teenage boys who hang out there!"
"I think we can still make them believe we're high school students."
"You're crazy!" Bella laughed. "Alright, Mariel. See you later!"
****
"So, he's not willing to sell Red House to you?"
Bella shook her head with a wry smile on her lips. They were at Pete's Place and were enjoying dinner that had just been delivered by Pete Carson, the restaurant owner. Bella was happy that old Pete still recognized her and greeted her warmly.
"I was the stupid one, Mariel. I should have guessed his reaction. Reef seems to really like that house. He won't let it go."
"Do you have another plan? Maybe you should try to persuade him one more time."
"No, I don't. I don't want to hear any more hurtful words from his mouth. I may be guilty, but I don't deserve to be insulted!"
"Do you want me to persuade him?"
"Mariel, no. You don't have to. Your efforts will be in vain."
"Who knows if he'll listen to me. That house is his ego. He vented his hurt by owning your family home. He knows the history of the house, how your father was very proud of it and made it a symbol of his social status."
"He thinks he's become my father's equal after becoming the owner of Red House?"
"Sort of."
Bella shook her head sadly. "He's always been my equal. I never underestimated him. Why is he such a fool?"
"It's all because of what your father said to him."
"What do you mean?" Bella was shocked. "Do you know something I don't?"
Mariel, who was slicing her steak putting down her knife, looked at Bella with a sad face. "I shouldn't tell you this, because I promised Reef when he told me. But, I think you should know that Reef actually went to New York to see you. However, it was your father who went to see him. Your father said something that hurt his pride even more. He returned to Saco with a strong determination to become a rich man."
"Did he ever come to New York? I was never told! What did my father say to Reef?"
Mariel grimaced. "I have no right to tell you that. You should ask Reef, dear."
"Yeah. It's look like I'll never know. I told him not to see each other again to protect our feelings."
"That's so ridiculous. You're really building a wall between you and him, eh? It's hurting Reef even more. Don't you feel sorry for him?"
"He's annoying. I don't think his whole intention towards me is sincere. He won't forgive me, Mariel. He's tempting me to take revenge!"
"If he has such a hard time forgiving you, it's not his fault. If you don't want to ask Reef, ask your father what he did and said to his daughter's boyfriend."
Bella shifted her plate of food away. Her appetite was gone instantly. That's when her cell phone rang, and her forehead furrowed as she saw a series of unknown numbers on her phone screen.
Mariel looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "It's okay. Just pick up the phone."
Bella got up and moved away to take the call. A woman's voice greeted her politely in her ear. "Miss Ross, I'm Grace Nolan, Mr. Davis' secretary. He has invited you to his office tomorrow afternoon. He hopes you will come."
"What does he want to see me for?"
"He didn't say, but he asked me to assure you that this is some kind of business."
"We have no business relationship."
"Of course." The secretary's voice sounded patient and pleasant. "But, Mr. Davis firmly believes this will be a kind of business for both of you. So, would you be willing to come?"
Bella was stunned. "Yes," she replied in astonishment. "Yes. Tell him I will come."
"Thank you. I'll pass it on to Mr. Davis."
"What's wrong?" Mariel asked when Bella returned to the table. "Why is your face so tense?"
"Reef's secretary called me. She said Reef is expecting me at his office tomorrow afternoon."
"Hey, isn't that great news?" Mariel grinned happily. "Maybe he's already considering your desire to buy that house!"
Bella frowned. "I'm not sure, Mariel. I don't know what he'll do to me. I told you, he just wants to avenge his hurt." Bella hid her face behind her palms, her shoulders slumped. She looked very tired in Mariel's eyes. "This is all because of my father. Strangely, I can't hate Dad, because I know he did it for my good, even though his perspective was wrong."
"You're going to see Reef tomorrow?"
Bella nodded. "What else can I do? Maybe you're right, maybe he'll change his mind and be willing to sell Red House to me."
****